Optimal drug delivery for intraperitoneal paclitaxel (PTX) in murine model

Emerging Phospholipid Nanobiomaterials for Biomedical Applications to Lab-on-a-Chip, Drug Delivery, and Cellular Engineering

The design of advanced nanobiomaterials to improve analytical accuracy and therapeutic efficacy has become an important prerequisite for the development of innovative nanomedicines. Recently, phospholipid nanobiomaterials including 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC) have attracted great attention with remarkable characteristics such as resistance to nonspecific protein adsorption and cell adhesion for various biomedical applications. Despite many recent reports, there is a lack of comprehensive review on the phospholipid nanobiomaterials from synthesis to diagnostic and therapeutic applications. Here, we review the synthesis and characterization of phospholipid nanobiomaterials focusing on MPC polymers and highlight their attractive potentials for applications in micro/nanofabricated fluidic devices, biosensors, lab-on-a-chip, drug delivery systems (DDSs), COVID-19 potential usages for early diagnosis and even treatment, and artificial extracellular matrix scaffolds for cellular engineering.

Paclitaxel: Application in Modern Oncology and Nanomedicine-Based Cancer Therapy

Paclitaxel is a broad-spectrum anticancer compound, which was derived mainly from a medicinal plant, in particular, from the bark of the yew tree Taxus brevifolia Nutt. It is a representative of a class of diterpene taxanes, which are nowadays used as the most common chemotherapeutic agent against many forms of cancer. It possesses scientifically proven anticancer activity against, e.g., ovarian, lung, and breast cancers. The application of this compound is difficult because of limited solubility, recrystalization upon dilution, and cosolvent-induced toxicity. In these cases, nanotechnology and nanoparticles provide certain advantages such as increased drug half-life, lowered toxicity, and specific and selective delivery over free drugs. Nanodrugs possess the capability to buildup in the tissue which might be linked to enhanced permeability and retention as well as enhanced antitumour influence possessing minimal toxicity in normal tissues. This article presents information about paclitaxel, its chemical structure, formulations, mechanism of action, and toxicity. Attention is drawn on nanotechnology, the usefulness of nanoparticles containing paclitaxel, its opportunities, and also future perspective. This review article is aimed at summarizing the current state of continuous pharmaceutical development and employment of nanotechnology in the enhancement of the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic features of paclitaxel as a chemotherapeutic agent.

Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of a new formulation-lipid emulsion-based PTX injection: Pharmacokinetics, tissue distributions and anticancer effect on human gastric cancer cells in vitro

Paclitaxel (PTX) is one of the most widely used chemotherapeutic agents. The commercial PTX formulation was based on Cremophor EL and ethanol owing to its poor aqueous solubility. However, Cremophor EL has been shown to cause toxic effects such as life-threatening anaphylaxis. In our study, we diluted PTX in a commercially available 20% (w/v) lipid emulsion (Lip-PTX) in order to avoid Cremophor EL. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the pharmacokinetics and tissue distributions between Lip-PTX and PTX injection. We also investigated the effects of Lip-PTX and PTX injection on human gastric cancer cells HGC-27 by MTT assay. The apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry with Annexin V/propidium iodide (PI) double staining. Furthermore, the safety such as acute toxicity was also assessed. The results showed that PTX in Sprague-Dawley rats administered Lip-PTX exhibited extended half-life, increased clearance (P < 0.05) and smaller area under the concentration-time curve compared with PTX injection and there was little significant difference in the distribution of PTX in Sprague-Dawley rats or tumor-bearing mice between Lip-PTX and PTX injection. The cells treated with Lip-PTX had a higher percentage of apoptosis and a higher G₂ /M phase ratio, which indicated that the anticancer effect of Lip-PTX was significantly better than that of PTX injection. Moreover, our study highlighted the safety of Lip-PTX. This study demonstrated the feasibility and potential advantages of Lip-PTX for clinical therapy.

An overview and update of hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy in ovarian cancer

INTRODUCTION

Despite, the strong rationale and evidence of the benefit of postoperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy in advanced ovarian cancer, it has not been widely adopted, mainly due to its high morbidity and logistical difficulties. Intraoperative hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) is a more tolerable and technically feasible method of intraperitoneal chemotherapy, whereas other potential advantages include homogenous drug distribution, application before tumor regrowth and combination with hyperthermia, which is directly cytotoxic and enhances the efficacy of many drugs.

AREAS COVERED

In this review, the authors explain the rationale and indications for cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and HIPEC in advanced ovarian cancer. Data of major clinical studies, meta-analyses, and recent randomized trials are discussed.

EXPERT OPINION

After many encouraging clinical studies and meta-analyses, a recent randomized study demonstrated survival benefit for HIPEC during interval CRS in primary ovarian cancer, without increased morbidity, whereas another implied its benefit in recurrent ovarian cancer. Results of recently completed and numerous ongoing randomized studies will further determine the benefit of HIPEC in ovarian cancer at different time points. Patient selection and appraisal of the best protocols are crucial. The field of gynecological oncology will most likely evolve to include HIPEC eventually as a routine treatment for ovarian cancer.